New Zealand Passport Photo: check yours against the official spec

A New Zealand passport photo for online applications is a digital photo between 900 x 1200 and 4500 x 6000 pixels in a 3:4 ratio, between 250 KB and 5 MB, taken within the last 6 months against a plain light-coloured background with strong contrast. It cannot be a selfie or a scan of a print, and the official rule is: do not edit, apply filters, or use AI tools. Printed photos are 35 x 45 mm with the head about 80% of the image height.

Upload a photo

Click anywhere here, or drag and drop your photo. Use a clear, front-facing photo against a plain white wall in even light. We measure and crop it. We never edit the pixels you submit.

🛡️ Accepted or your money back🔒 Your photo is deleted within 24 hours✓ We never edit your photo

21 documents checked against official specifications

New Zealand passport photo requirements

Photo size	1 3/8 × 1 3/4 inches (35 × 45 mm)
Head height (chin to top of hair)	1 3/8 to 1 1/2 in (34 to 38 mm)
Eye height from bottom	3/4 to 1 1/8 in (19 to 30 mm)
Background	plain light-coloured (not white for prints), strong contrast
Digital file	JPEG, at least 900 × 900 px

Common reasons a New Zealand passport photo is rejected

The photo is a selfie or a scan of a print. The photographer should stand about 1.5 metres away with the camera at eye level.
The photo has been edited, filtered, or touched by AI tools. The official rule says do not edit, apply filters, or use AI tools.
Tinted or thick-framed glasses, glare on the lenses, or no clear gap between the eyes and the frames. Prescription glasses are otherwise allowed.
The digital file is outside the 900 x 1200 to 4500 x 6000 pixel range, or outside the 250 KB to 5 MB size range, or the photo is more than 6 months old.

“Photos must not be changed using computer software, phone apps or filters, or artificial intelligence.”
U.S. Department of State, passport photo requirements

Photo rejections are common, and you pay twice

A rejected photo means a delayed application and paying again for a retake. It's one of the most common problems people hit when applying, and it's exactly what this tool is built to catch before you submit:

We measure your photo against the official spec, never AI-edit it (itself a rejection reason as of 2026), and back it accepted-or-your-money-back.

What your result screen shows

Every photo is measured against these checks, the same list you see after uploading:

Head size
Eye position
Framing room
Resolution
Background colour
Plain background
Even lighting
Pose & expression

When every required check passes, the verdict reads “Passed” and you can download the exact photo you uploaded, cropped to spec, never edited. If a check fails, you get the reason and how to retake, and you pay nothing.

What real users said

“Photo accepted at the post office on the first try, which honestly surprised me. The instant spec check feels like it should be the default everywhere.”
Derya
“The webcam check instantly flagged my background was too cluttered even though I thought it looked fine, which was a nice surprise. Glad I didn't waste money printing a bad photo.”
Irmak
“Took a quick selfie with my webcam and it actually flagged the right issues with my framing. Kind of cool that they don't just slap a filter on it.”
Zafer
“love the pay-only-if-it-passes model, such a smart way to build trust before asking anyone to hand over money. the no AI editing promise is a really thoughtful touch too.”
Azra

From our Product Hunt launch, quoted verbatim. We never invent testimonials.

What a passport photo really costs

The photo is the cheap part. The expensive part is a rejection: redo fees, another queue, and a delayed application or trip. Here is the honest comparison:

Pharmacy or retail (CVS, Walgreens)$16 to $17 per attempt	No compliance guarantee. A rejection means paying and queueing again.
USPS photo serviceabout $15	Same deal: rejected means a second visit and a second fee.
Cheap online photo editors$1 to $3	Most replace your background with software. Edited photos are a documented rejection reason for the US, UK and Canada since 2026, and refunds usually cover technical failures only.
Compliant Passport PhotoFree check. $9 only if it passes	We measure and crop your original, never edit it. Accepted or your money back.

Retail prices are typical 2026 US prices and vary by location. Our guarantee: accepted or your money back.

Built by a real person

Nic built this after his own passport photo was rejected over a sizing issue he could not even see. The tool measures your photo against the official spec and never edits it, because since 2026 the US, UK and Canada reject AI-altered photos.

Read the launch story

Frequently asked questions

What are the digital requirements for a New Zealand passport photo?

Between 900 x 1200 and 4500 x 6000 pixels in a 3:4 ratio, with a file size between 250 KB and 5 MB, taken within the last 6 months.

Can I take a New Zealand passport photo myself?

Not as a selfie. Someone else must take the photo, standing about 1.5 metres away with the camera at your eye level. Scans of printed photos are not accepted either.

Can I wear glasses in a New Zealand passport photo?

Prescription glasses are allowed if they are not tinted or thick-framed, there is a clear gap between your eyes and the frames, and there is no glare.

What background does a New Zealand passport photo need?

A plain light-coloured background with strong contrast against you. For printed photos the background should not be white.

What are the rules for baby passport photos in New Zealand?

Babies can be photographed from above while lying on a plain light-coloured sheet. Their eyes must be open and nobody else can be visible in the photo.